Except as discussed below, our accounting policies are described in Note 3 –

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

, of our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form

10-K

for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC (“Form

10-K”).

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relates to the determination of the allowance for

credit

losses. Other significant estimates, which may be subject to change, include fair value determinations and disclosures, impairment of investments, goodwill, loans, as well as valuation of deferred tax assets.

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses

— On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No.

2016-13,

“Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. This ASU replaces the current “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model, applies to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans,

held-to-maturity

securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to

available-for-sale

(“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, we will measure credit impairment in a manner similar to the approach used prior to the adoption of CECL, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, we will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as required prior to the adoption of CECL. As a policy election, we excluded the accrued interest receivable balance from the amortized cost basis of financing receivables and HTM

securities, as well as AFS securities, and disclose total accrued interest receivable separately on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. If accrued interest is not received, it is reversed against interest income, which was zero for the first quarter of 2020.

The Company adopted this ASU using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and

off-balance

sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net decrease to beginning retained earnings of $1.3 million, net of tax as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative adjustment upon adoption of ASC 326. The transition adjustment of

$1.8 million was added to the beginning balance of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) for loans and $41,000 was added to the beginning balance of reserve for unfunded loan commitments.

Upon adoption of CECL there was no impact on the accounting for AFS or HTM investment securities.

The Company developed a CECL allowance model that calculates reserves over the life of the loan and is largely driven by portfolio characteristics, risk grading, macroeconomic variables and the associated economic outlook, as well as other key methodology assumptions. The allowance is based upon historical lifetime loss rate models segregated by three loan segments: Commercial and Industrial, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer Retail. In addition to determining the quantitative life of loan loss rate to be applied against the portfolio segments, the ASU indicates management has the opportunity to layer on current conditions and forecast adjustments to ensure that the life of loan loss rate reflects both the current state of the portfolio, and expectations for macroeconomic changes in the near future. We utilized a single economic forecast that is based on probability weighted scenarios to incorporate macroeconomic uncertainty over a 2 or

3-year

forecast horizon. After the initial 2 to 3 year forecast horizon, we use an input reversion methodology in the model structure to complete a reasonable and supportable forecast period for the life of the loan.

During the second half of March 2020, the broader economy experienced a significant deterioration in the economic environment driven by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in

adverse changes to the forecasted macroeconomic variables utilized in our modeling processes. This expected economic deterioration, coupled with the implementation of the expected loss methodology for determining our provision for credit losses, have contributed to an increased provision for credit losses of

$12

million for

the first quarter of 2020. We continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 closely, as well as any effects that may result from the CARES Act. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our operations and financial results during the remainder of 2020 is highly uncertain, but we may experience increased provision for credit losses if the

COVID-19

pandemic results in additional economic stress on our borrowers and loan portfolios.